A Host's Guide to Thanksgiving Day Prep

Hosting a holiday like Thanksgiving is no easy feat, but someone has to do it! If this is your year to baste the turkey and mash the potatoes, you’re probably already starting to feel the pressure. But the holidays are all about family and togetherness, so we’ve decided to share a few ways to make your Thanksgiving as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Cook early and freeze.

With many hosts working up until the day of Thanksgiving, it’s hard to find time to cook everything that a Thanksgiving Day feast requires. Ensure you have a relaxing Wednesday night by preparing food sporadically throughout the week and freezing it.

Ask others to pitch in.

There’s nothing wrong with asking your guests to contribute to the meal. When you send out invitations, ask guests to include a dish they’re going to bring along with their RSVP. Not only will this cut down on your baking time, but it will ensure that you don’t end up with four cheese platters and no stuffing.

Make space for guests.

If you live in a smaller home or apartment, consider renting chairs and tables. If you don’t like the “folding chair” look, you can easily cover them with slip covers. You can also utilize other rooms of the house, like the basement, for little ones to eat in.

Decorate your table the night before.

Whether you’re choosing to have a more formal dining experience or a casual, buffet-style one, your table will need some Thanksgiving pazaz. Autumn-inspired plates and cups, as well as napkins and placemats, will set the stage for a lovely evening.

Use eco-friendly cleaning products.

Chemical cleaners pose a major threat to you and your family’s health. Instead of using store-bought, chemical cleaners, create an all-purpose cleaner using 1/2 cup vinegar, 2 tbsp baking soda, and a splash of fresh lemon juice.  

Have your vents professionally cleaned.

Nothing ruins Thanksgiving dinner quite like a dust bunny rolling across the table. Ensure that everyone can breathe easy this year by having your vents cleaned of any dust, dirt, and debris.

If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call (631) 940-8100 to get started with a free estimate. And from all of us here at GreenPro, have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

11 Tips to Help You Recycle More (and Better)

At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we pride ourselves on two things: providing top-notch cleaning services and our “Earth Friendly” approach that promotes healthy living. We know that we have a responsibility to the Earth, as well as those who inhabit it. That’s why all of our products are bio-safe and all of our methods are certified bio-friendly.

Keeping our environment safe is so important to us, that we’re sharing a few ways you can join us in our commitment to eco-friendly practices! Even if you’re new to sustainability and recycling, we’ve got a few tips that will turn you into a pro in no time.

1. Rinse your cans before putting them in the recycling bin. This will help keep unwanted pests and insects out of your bin.
2. Know what you can recycle... Aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, cardboard, magazines, and aluminum foil can all be recycled.
3. ...And what you can’t. You shouldn’t recycle glassware, ceramics, pots and pans, batteries, and light bulbs.
4. Recycle your electronics. You can’t just throw them in your home recycling bin, but you can recycle and donate (a.k.a upcycle) printers, computers, tablets, and even beepers. 
5. Make recycling easy for little ones. Clearly label or color code recycling and garbage bins so that your kids can partake in the eco-friendly fun as well.
6. Flatten your cardboard boxes. Make room for more boxes by flattening them before you place them in a bin.
7. Have a place for junk mail. Despite all the digital communicating we do nowadays, junk mail still makes up a large portion of wasted paper.
8. Have more than one recycling bin. We mentioned before that there’s plenty you can recycle, but that doesn’t mean it can all go in one giant bin. Make things easier on yourself and waste management by separating recyclable materials into different bins.
9. Start composting. Composting not only saves you money by reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, but it also turns what would be waste into something useful.
10. Encourage your neighbors to start recycling. If you notice a neighbor of yours doesn't recycle, bring then a bin and let them know what is and isn’t recyclable.
11. Look for other ways you’re wasting resources. Are you leaving lights on when no one is in the room? Are you putting the heat up too high? Are you using fluorescent bulbs?

If you’re ever in need of an air duct cleaning or water damage repair services, and what a company that shares in your eco-friendly passion, look to GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration! If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, pick up the phone and call us at (631) 940-8100 to get started with a free estimate.

How to Prep Your Attic for Cold Weather

Attics are usually an afterthought for most people when it comes to winter weather prep. But if you’re looking to save on home heating costs this year (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) here are five things to add to your to-do list before Old Man Winter approaches:

Inspect it for air leaks. Air leaks in the attic allow warm air to escape and can cause your heating bill to spike by up to 20%. Check your attic for signs of heat loss by running your hand around the edges of doors and windows (in search of moving air).

Check for openings where critters could invade. With the temperature starting to drop, small animals will soon be in search of warmth. If there's even a small opening in your attic, you could be dealing with a costly pest infestation.

Upgrade your insulation. While there’s no denying that they’re great for storage, the main purpose of your attic is actually to provide sufficient insulation for your home. If your attic is poorly insulated, heat will rise and escape straight through your roof. Keep your heating costs low this year by having your attic inspected by a professional.

Check for possible sources of water leaks. When a sheet of ice forms over your gutters and prevents water from draining through them, you're left with an ice dam. This causes melting snow to seep into your roof and compromise its structural integrity.

Have all mold and mildew professionally removed. Attics are a common hiding spot for mold and mildew, which can affect your home and family’s health. Because you could potentially expose yourself to harmful mold spores, this is usually a job that’s best left to the professionals.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional attic cleaning and mold removal services to homes across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, pick up the phone and call us at (631) 940-8100 to get started with a free estimate.

4 Reasons Why You Need a Vent Cleaning Before Winter Hits

With winter just a few short weeks away, many of us are already preparing to close up our houses for the next few months. But while airtight windows and doors do a good job of keeping cold air out, they also do a good job of keeping debris in. Before you close up your home for good this season, give it one final purification with the help of an air duct cleaning.

Cut down on allergens.

When you think of allergies, you probably think of flowers blooming and pollen swirling in the sun. But spring and summer aren’t the only times allergies can strike. We hate to say it, but allergies are actually a 24/7, 365-days-a-year problem. Ragweed, mold, dust, and pet dander levels are all just as high in the fall and winter as they are in the warmer months.

Get rid of dangerous mold. 

Not only is mold hazardous to your family’s health, but it’s also bad for your HVAC system. With enough time, mold build-up can start to eat away at your vents, meaning you’ll one day have to replace them entirely.

Improve circulation. 

Dust, mold, and other debris that’s trapped in your vents acts as a sort of screen. The first time you turn on your heat this season, some of that air you’re paying to heat will get trapped in these “dust screens” and never make it to its intended destination. When this happens, most homeowners are forced to bump up the heat — a waste of resources and money.

Improve your overall air quality. 

While clean air is important for everyone, certain groups are more sensitive to indoor air quality than others, like children, the elderly, and those with asthma. Having your air ducts cleaned means you’ll reduce the amount of contaminants everyone in your home breathes in.

Remove unpleasant odors.

Many homeowners don’t realize that the less-than-pleasant smells circulating around their home are due to moldy air vents. An initial cleaning, plus a preventative anti-microbial treatment from us will leave your air clean and smelling wonderful for months!

Schedule your air duct cleaning with GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration before Old Man Winter strikes! Contact us online or give us a call at (631) 940-8100 today.

How to Protect Your Home From Mold and Mildew After a Flood

There are a lot of places you want to find water at: a water park, in your glass on a hot summer day, and coming out of your shower head. Notice though, we didn’t mention in your basement. Each year, floods cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and destroy homes. But flood water isn’t the only culprit. The other is a poor clean up job. If your home isn’t cleaned properly, the effects of a flood can last long after the water has been cleared.

Mold and Mildew

First and foremost, mold and mildew can consume your home after it has suffered a flood. Even if the area is just damp, mold can begin growing in as quickly as 48 hours.

How to Protect Your Home from Mold

Accept what you can’t save.

Though it may be tough, some things, unfortunately, can’t be salvaged. Clothes, upholstered furniture, and carpets can often take days to completely dry. In cases like that, it’s best to throw them away entirely.

Use fans to your advantage.

Mount several fans on your windowsill. This will not only help to dry your area off quickly, but it will also prevent dust and mold spores from blowing into your home.

Disinfect EVERYTHING!

If there’s ever a time to go on a disinfectant-spree, it’s after a flood. Excess moisture also draws bacteria and other toxins to your house, so it’s important to use green products to safely eliminate them.

Never pump water into the sewer system.

Pumping water into the sewers will only worsen flooding problems throughout the state and interfere with your local government's ability to contain flood water. Instead, always pump water into your backyard or down a storm drain.

Water damage can severely impact your family’s safety and comfort. That’s why it’s incredibly important that you act fast at the first sign of excess water. Here at GreenPro Cleaning, we dare to tackle the tough jobs most companies won’t touch! For all of your basement cleaning needs, give us a call at (631) 940-8100 today!

The Real Truth About Dusty Vents

Company is coming over in an hour — what’s the first thing you do? Odds are, it’s vacuum and dust. But are your carpets and tabletops enough? Most homeowners work hard to keep their house looking fresh and clean, but many forget to think about the real dust culprit — your air vents.

While we love these inconspicuous cooling and heating vents that send comfortable air throughout our homes, they’re a breeding ground for dust, dander, and mold. And while it may not always seem like it, dusty vents can have serious consequences for your family and home.

Overall health and breathing problems.

Most importantly, dust affects your family’s health. Depending on how much dust is in your home and how long you’ve been exposed to it, inhaling dust can lead to:

• Eye irritation
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Hayfever
• Difficulty breathing
• Exacerbated asthma symptoms.

More time spent cleaning.

Your vents are literally tubes that connect and transport air throughout your house. When dust builds up in your vents, it doesn’t stay isolated in just the vents or even one room of your house. Instead, that dust travels to every room of the house, meaning you’ll have to dust far more often to get the same sparkling clean look.

Decreased airflow.

Imagine if you placed dozens of thin screens throughout your vents. Naturally, air would start to travel a lot slower as a result of these blockages. When your vents are filled with dust they act like screens, blocking air from getting where it needs to go.

Bigger bills.

When a room isn’t getting as hot or cold as it should (because of decreased airflow) most homeowners’ first instinct is to change the thermostat. Because the problem has nothing to do with the actual temperature of your air, rooms won’t actually feel any different and you’ll be paying for that increased energy use.

But thankfully, there’s a pretty simple solution: air duct cleanings! GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional air duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, contact us today to schedule a free estimate: 631-940-8100.

How to Winterize Your AC Unit

All summer long, your air conditioner works hard to keep your house cool. So needless to say, you’ll do anything it takes to keep it running well in the summer. But once winter comes, many homeowners are all too quick to set their unit to “off” and go about their days. But if you want your unit to work well year-after-year it’s important that you treat it well all year long. The best way to keep your AC safe from Old Man Winter is by winterizing and covering it properly.

Cut the power to your AC unit. 

First things first, you need to turn off the exterior power to your unit. This will prevent it from electrocuting anyone working on the unit or accidentally being turned on in the winter. If you have:

• Central air: cut power to the exterior circuits that control the power to the entire unit. It’s usually as simple as pulling out the red circuit handle in the circuit box. 
• Window units: Window units can simply be unplugged, or removed from the window entirely and stored in a dry space, like an attic or basement. 

Clean your unit — inside and out. 

Freezing temperatures can trap debris in your unit and damage it. With a damp rag and cleaning solution, wipe down the surface of the unit. Then, use a high powered hose to clean the fan blades and condensing coils.

Inspect the ground around your AC. 

Even in the summer, you always want the outside area around your home to be clear of any reaching tree limbs or leaves. Trim any branches that are touching (or will soon be touching) your unit and sweep the ground below so that wind won’t push fallen debris back into your now clean unit.

Cover your AC unit. 

To cover or not to cover, that is the question. Some technicians suggest everyone cover their unit, so as to protect it from whirling debris and cold air. However, others believe that covering your unit will trap moisture and cause mold to grow. We think the best option is to combine them and make the best of both worlds. The first cool day of fall, cover your unit but be sure to leave at least 12 inches of exposed coil so that air can continue to circulate. Every month or two, remove the cover, clean your unit, and leave it uncovered for one day.

If you notice mold anywhere in your house this winter, give the experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Solution a call! We offer professional cleaning and mold removal services to homes across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us to get started with a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.